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Head Lice

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First created 26 March 2015
Last reviewed 10 June 2020
Review cycle Two years
Approver Principals
Owner Projects Manager
Stakeholders Staff, students, parents
Child Safety National Principles 1-5, 7-8, 10

Overview #

  1. We aim to encourage correct procedure to ensure health and safety is abided by when lice or lice eggs are found on students.
  2. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all staff and students abide by the rules of the College regarding head lice. It applies to all staff members and students of the College.

Procedures #

  1. Any child who is found having lice or lice eggs (nits) in their hair will be taken out of class. We will call the parent and request that the child is taken home.
  2. Treatment must be commenced as soon as possible. Treatment should involve manual removal of the eggs and lice with a nit comb.
  3. Please do not allow your child to return to College until there is absolutely no evidence of lice or lice eggs.
  4. Please Note: The child will not be permitted to return to class unless they report first to the Administration Office and have their head checked. If any evidence is found we will not permit the child to return to class.
  5. Even though our letter states that children may return the day after treatment has commenced it may be beneficial to keep your child home longer to ensure the lice or lice eggs (nits) have been eradicated.
  6. Refer to Communicable Disease and Immunisations Policy for further Prompt Response Scenario procedures.

Tips to Reduce the Likelihood of Head Lice #

  1. Keep long hair tied back in plaits or in a bun (this should be done as a matter of course despite the presence of head lice in the school). Then, spray with hairspray, spray conditioner, or herbal lice repellent.
  2. Use the conditioner treatment as a preventative technique every day whilst we are experiencing heavy infestation.
  3. Use tea tree oil daily in the shampoo to prevent or repel lice (not a treatment-only preventative).
  4. Use a vinegar rinse in the hair to prevent or repel lice (not a treatment- only preventative).
  5. Use an electronic nit comb daily even if no evidence of infestation is visible.
  6. Wash all bed linen and clothing in hot water.
  7. Some herbal lice sprays are available and may be used daily as a preventative measure.
  8. Spray conditioner may be useful as a repellent and could be sprayed on the child’s hair daily.
  9. Use a heavy spray of hairspray over the child’s hair daily as a preventative measure.
  10. A useful website you may like to access is: https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Head-lice
Student Health